Counseling is a process designed to help people to manage personal and interpersonal problems and to recognize and develop their abilities. People seek counseling for reasons ranging from self-improvement to help with specific personal problems.
Counseling typically involves discussions between a client and a trained counselor in a confidential setting. Some counseling involves couples or groups. The nature of any counseling depends on the goals agreed upon by the counselor and client. Some counseling, for example, primarily provides information, such as results of aptitude and interests tests, to clients exploring career options. Other counseling may teach skills, such as how to communicate with confidence or how to settle conflicts, to clients facing interpersonal problems. Sometimes counseling simply helps clients understand their wants and needs and allows the clients to decide how they want to proceed. Common counseling practices include active listening; helping define problems and goals; improving insight into the thoughts, feelings, and actions of the client; and teaching personal and interpersonal skills.
School guidance counselors, social workers, members of the clergy, and other professionals use counseling skills as part of their job. To be licensed as a professional counselor, a person must complete several years of training and supervision. Professional counselors work in a variety of settings, including health and mental health centers, businesses, schools, and private practice.
Since the 1950’s, counseling has developed a number of specialized areas. Among the most important of these are short-term counseling and counseling for couples in a relationship, such as marriage. There has also been a great expansion in post-disaster counseling. Counselors who specialize in this area work with people who have suffered the effects of violent crime, war, earthquakes, floods, and other disasters.
See also Guidance ; Post-traumatic stress disorder ; Psychotherapy ; Social work .
